It was a beautiful day for rugby and the start of the 2026 league schedule.The Eastside Banshees D2 team travelled to Green Bay WI for the first match of the season and the Banshees D3 team (The Wailers) hosted the team from Fargo called the Red River Ruffians on top of the hill at the Eagan Community Center. Both kickoffs were at 1p. 

The Ruffians from Fargo have won the Minnesota D3 league for as long as I remember so we knew this might not be an easy match. The weather was amazing. Not humid, a little windy with a few clouds floating by. Great day to be a fan and there were lots on hand to enjoy it. There must have been at least 15 kids under 10 running around. Much more than the number of dogs. This is a good trend. 

The game started out with RRR scoring within the first 5 minutes and in control of the ball most of the first half with many more tries. The home team squeaked in a try in that first half so the halftime score was 5 to 47 in favor of the visitors. 

The second half was much more even play with the Wailers threatening to score a couple of times. Much more entertaining and no serious injuries or yellow cards. The fans seemed to be having a good time. Final Red River Ruffians 62  and Eastside Banshees Wailers 5. The on field social following the match was a very enjoyable event with a lot of catching up with old friends and making new ones. 

I have no updates from Green Bay except for the score. Halftime had the Banshees down 31 to 14. Final Green Bay 61 , Eastside 26. Next Saturday Aug 29 is the only scheduled home games for both teams. Kickoff will be at 1p for Banshees D2 vs Des Moines and the Wailers hosting Rochester following. No home games in September. Oct 3 is the next. 

DescripMay 3rd - It was a beautiful day for rugby and the Eastside Banshee were hosting St Johns University from Collegeville. St. Johns was fresh from winning the All Saints tourney last weekend in Clearwater. The weather was perfect on the hill in Eagan and many fans came out on this 2nd day of May. There was at least one former SJU player from the original team of 1967 and many more former players from the 70s and 80s.There were also many former Banshees in attendance. Lots of parents and kids of the players were out to enjoy the day and the first game between these two teams in many years. Many older players (over 40) laced up their boots and joined in the fun on the field.

The game was exciting with the Banshees going up by a few tries and then the University rallying and taking the lead. The final whistle after 80 minutes had the men’s team up by one point but no one seemed to care. It was just great to have a good college team, where many Eastside Banshee players got their first taste of rugby, making the trip to the cities for a match just for fun.

The social at the field was catered by Tinucci’s of Newport and the food could not have been better and all the players, old boys, parents, grandparents and kids had their fill.

The Banshees next Saturday are hosting the Select side from Wisconsin on the hill at the Eagan Community Center. A 1pm kick off is planned. I hope to see you theretion text goes here